Happy New Year, everyone! We hope you’re embracing the fresh start with a new lease on life. (And a newfound love of local craft beers, perhaps?) We’ve got a unique range of refreshing brewskis for you to take into 2022 and beyond – from the crisp, clear Dean pilsner to the light and fruity Quarterback APA. Once you’ve become acquainted with our famous brew crew, trust us, you’ll be buddies for life. So if your New Year’s resolution is to drink more craft beer, keep reading to discover five reasons why you should.
If you’re an IPA fan, we’ve got you. If you prefer a heavy Belgian Ale, we’ve got you too. In fact, we’ve got a craft brew for every beer-lover out there. Our brewers know that variety is important when it comes to craft beer. After all, without options, how would we find our favourite beer style? Hang out with the coolest kids on the block to find your new best brew.
Caramel notes, fruity undertones, bursts of bitterness. Whatever your flavour preference, there’s a craft beer to match it at 1000 Hills Brewery. Unlike mass-produced beers, our local craft beers offer something special – rich, distinctive taste. The sort that comes when beer is brewed by passionate pros who hand-pick quality ingredients. If you appreciate the finer beers in life, you will taste the difference and see why craft is king!
All the time and energy that goes into ingredient sourcing, flavour development, and specialised brewing techniques means your favourite craft beer is really a hand-crafted masterpiece. One that is expertly prepared by local artisans who stake their livelihoods on it. Just think, a beer made with this amount of care and consideration must be worth its weight in liquid gold – and the craft brewers – certainly worthy of their stripes in the industry. Visit our own-campus brewery to try our beer tasting tray, or simply read the back of your bottle for the lowdown on that style.
The various flavour profiles of our local craft beers makes them excellent to pair with food. For example, the FES Belgian Ale goes well with steak, and the Dean Pilsner works its magic with fish. Explore our Heritage Day blog post for examples of braai food and craft beer pairings.
If you know 1000 Hills Brewery, you’ll know each and every one of our beers has a story. A tale, really, explaining where the beer came from and what it’s about. Take the Graduate, for example. He’s a fun guy. Sure, he spends most of his time reading books and boosting his grades, but once you get to know him, you can appreciate his quirkiness and witty sense of humour. You see, when a unique brew like the Graduate has a unique backstory, drinking it is more of an adventure – a memorable moment shared with a friend.
Hopefully, you’ll sample the entire brew crew! (Every one of our local craft beers is a gem, so why not?) Visit 1000 Hills Chef School at 2 Wootton Avenue, Bothas Hill, KZN for some beer tasters.
Sure — you’ve had wine. You’ve tried craft beer. And even sampled a cocktail. But, have you experienced sangria featuring beer? That’s right. We’ve challenged the boundaries of craft beer yet again with these tantalizing sangria recipes. Get ready to shake things up in time for a whole new alcoholic adventure.
Traditional sangria recipes are rooted in wine and Spanish history. After the Spanish were invaded by the Romans, they began planting grapes to trade with them. Drinks with alcohol became a preference as the water was likely contaminated with bacteria. Over time, fruit and spices were added — and the Spanish red wine punch was born.
And as we like to get crafty with all things, like craft beer cocktails, we’ve had a crack at curating some choice thirst quenchers.
Find your container — use either a punch bowl or a large pitcher.
Typically, traditional sangria recipes call for either red or white wines. Here you will need to decide on either lager or ales. To brush up on the difference between the two, explore our guide on craft beer. Ales come with spicy, fruity and floral flavours, whereas lagers have more of a cleaner, crisper and rounder taste.
Once you have chosen your craft beer base, you can move on to deciding on the best fruit pairing. Think melons, apples, grapes, citrus or berries.
To give the concoction a zing, add your complementing liquor. Add ¼ – ½ cup triple sec and then either ¼ – ½ cup brandy or rum.
Next, add a fruity juice base with ¼ – ½ cup of either orange, pomegranate or lemon juice.
For extra flavour, add about ½ – 2 cups of your preferred mixer. You can try anything from citrusy notes of a lemon-lime soda or frozen lemonade, to tea or ginger ale, still or sparkling water.
If you’re a beer lover with a sweet tooth, you can add more sweetness using either sugar or natural sources of sweetness like agave or honey. (When adding these, be sure to refrigerate your mixture overnight before serving).
Before pouring, prep glasses by filling them halfway with ice and then add your sangria mixture.
Define your signature sangria with the right garnish, for presentation and flavour. Get herbal with basil, mint or rosemary, add a zing with jalapeños, spice with cinnamon, or even a bold flavour with garlic. Serve immediately — cheers!
Now that you know the basics of building sangria, it’s time to get out your chopping boards. Ready your favourite fruits and craft beers to stir up these crowd-pleasers. Before beginning, be sure to wash all fruit thoroughly.
For a fabulous fruity pick, The Graduate is top of the class. With hints of passion fruit, litchi grapefruit and spices, this recipe is a sure summer sangria winner.
Hosting a braai or having sneaky sundowners? Score a touchdown with guests with this berry beer sangria featuring The Quarterback. Its light and fruity stance is a great base to use for this fruity flavoured drink.
Before making this sangria, chill all your ingredients. However, avoid freezing raspberries as they crumble. To make ahead of your event kickoff, add the vodka and fruit to a medium size container, cover and chill for up to one day. Then, add the remaining ingredients when serving.
While this hot weather favourite is perfect for the spring and summer months, it’s also a hit in autumn and winter! Enjoy this seasonal twist with a Gold Star Pilsner like The Dean. Curl up by the fire, pull out a book and dive into this wisened whistle-wetter.
Taste your sangria before serving — the sweetness level will depend on the beer and cider you use. To add sweetness, stir in maple syrup.
Whether you decide to try one of these summery or wintry sangria recipes, we wish you a delicious experience. For more craft beer ideas, explore our craft beers and find them to try at home.